Uncertified steel bars seized in Nueva Ecija

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it seized P1.6 million worth of uncertified deformed steel bars in Nueva Ecija.

The DTI confiscated 12,525 steel bars from a wholesale hardware store in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija. The bars were found to be non-compliant with standards set by the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS).

The DTI cited the absence of a BPS-approved logo — including the Philippine Standard Quality or Safety Mark or Import Commodity Clearance. These seals are required for products that need to undergo certification.

“The operation prompted the issuance of a notice of violation to the erring firm, requiring it to submit an expansion within 48 hours,” the DTI said.

The Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), which led the operation, said that the uncertified steel bars pose risks to life and property.

“There is a reason why deformed steel bars are under mandatory certification: to ensure that our homes are safe, strong, and of quality,” the FTEB said.

“We cannot allow non-compliant products to remain on the market, threatening the safety of households and benefitting businesses that fail or refuse to secure certification,” it added.

Last year, the DTI seized 98,947 deformed steel bars valued at P24 million.

Asked to comment, the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) expressed support for the campaign against substandard steel.

“The agency’s vigilance and proactive efforts to reinforce standards give the local industry more confidence to further contribute to the national economy,” it said in a statement.

“We firmly believe that raising steel standards requires both government enforcement and industry development. With the help of the DTI, PISI aims to raise these standards to world class levels to ensure consumer safety and socioeconomic resiliency,” it added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile